Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon Book Review

About the Book

If you love Eleanor and Park, Hazel and Augustus, and Mia and Adam, you’ll love the story of Maddy, a girl who’s literally allergic to the outside world, and Olly, the boy who moves in next door . . . and becomes the greatest risk she’s ever taken. This innovative and heartfelt debut novel unfolds via vignettes, diary entries, illustrations, and more.
My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He's tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

My Review

I used to let work take over my days and my reading really suffered. Thankfully, I have found a way to make both work and my reading has flourished again, something that makes me extremely happy.

I received this book on Netgalley, and have to admit that when I saw the relationship compared to Augustus and Hazel, I was a little leary. I know, I must be the only person in the world that didn't love that book. But, I figured that while I was in bed while everyone was sleeping, this might be the perfect book to start. And boy, was it!

This book was read in one sitting...that is not something that happens very often for me. I just couldn't put it down. The relationship between Maddy and Olly warmed my heart. Both of them had so much going on in their lives, it was great to see the bond that formed, especially when it initially started via email. It was nice that both of the main characters had lives they wished they didn't.

**Spoiler alert** While my heart literally broke for Maddy and her situation with her illness, to see what Olly went through with his alcoholic/rageaholic Father was so sad. He tried to protect his mom and sister, and got the brunt of the rage his father exhibited. And when Maddy sees him being threatened and leaves the house, that's when you know how much she is willing to risk to help her true love.

I also loved that Carla, Maddy's nurse, did what she could to help her lead as normal a life as she could. And allowed Olly to visit, while keeping it from Maddy's mother, who was not only her mother but a doctor as well. And was EXTREMELY overprotective, although you could understand why. Afterall, not only was her daughter sick, she had also lost her husband and son to a car accident. Maddy was all she had left, and she was going to do whatever it took to protect her. But when you realize just how far she has gone, you will wonder if Maddy will ever be able to understand.

I would highly recommend this book, not only a very easy read but a good story that will make you see how true love, whether between parent and child, or boyfriend and girlfriend shines through.